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What Happened Today – September 17, 2025

Horst Ludwig Georg Erich Wessel (1907-1930), a young brownshirt in the early Nazi movement, was shot by Communist opponents during a dispute and later died from his injuries. Joseph Goebbels and the Nazi propaganda machine mythologized his life and death, elevating him into a martyr for their cause. A poem he wrote became the “Horst-Wessel Song,” the anthem of the Nazi Party and later part of the national identity under Nazi rule. Through public ceremonies, renamed streets, and ritual remembrance, Wessel’s story became a blueprint for turning death into myth and myth into political power.

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Today's Quote
We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.
Jimmy Kimmel, during his ABC show monologue on September 15.
Yesterday's Most Read

Conservatives are calling for Attorney General Pam Bondi’s ouster after she vowed to unconstitutionally target ‘hate speech’ following Charlie Kirk’s killing.

Today’s GovBrief News


Sources

Deadline, The Hill, Politico, USA Today, Government Executive, Ars Technica, The Guardian, NPR, Alabama.com, ABC News, CBC, The Associated Press, PBS, CBS News, CNBC, Courthouse News Service, Roll Call, Variety